Not a Documentary, a Musical

I almost titled this "Coming to the Stage, Spike D", but I felt it was too crass. Anywho, here is a funny observation. Men like for others to know if or if not their reproductive organs don't function properly. I bet if I turn on a few podcasts right I will hear at least 1 ad for a product called Blue Chew(do your Googles). So, why did I have to find out about Spike Lee setting up a musical about the making of Viagra, the pill used to treat erectile dysfunction on Youtube? Y'all can talk about election news & Covid-19 vaccination research, but you are mum about this. Maybe you didn't know about it. So, read about it HERE if you have not.

Have you ever seen Lee's movie, School Daze? Remember the beauty shop musical scene. When I heard about this all I could think is was these lyrics, "Talk about Good not Bad D---. If You Want to Please a Chick".(*sigh* As soon as the church opens, I'll head straight to the altar because of that.)  I expect it to be like Menopause the Musical. I saw a commercial for it years ago. "I'm having a hot flash".

I see in my research for a video this show has been all over the nation, touring internationally, and can be streamed as of the date of this post. Lee says he does this musical with his late mother's fandom of Rogers and Hammerstein in mind. My mind wonders if she would have enjoyed the Menopause show.

I don't know who producers & writers want particularly for the cast. But I hope they consider the guy who played "Smiling Bob" from the Enzyte (another E.D. product) ads. He is probably the most recognizable person in the fight for male reproductive issues. I hope they reach out to him to audition. It should be a fun show. Well, at least funny. Viagra, which was originally supposed to be a heart attack medication has had its share in-jokes at its expense. And interesting it will get its shine on stage.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!

Are We Even Thankful?

I know why I celebrate Thanksgiving. Truly every day is a day of Thanksgiving for me. Every year I mentally mute the "Woke" population of America wondering why do we continue to celebrate Thanksgiving. Because we know the real history behind the tradition of being Grateful for Safe Passage & Survival to & in the New World. After the Indigenous Peoples shared their bounty with the destitute Europeans, the Europeans gave them pox-diseased blankets and also violently seized their land.

Then I heard a news anchor ask why does Canada celebrate Thanksgiving, this week. "Did they have Pilgrims & Indians, too"?

For those interested, "Long before Europeans settled in North America, festivals of thanks and celebrations of harvest took place in Europe in the month of October. ... And since Thanksgiving for Canadians is more about giving thanks for the harvest season than the arrival of pilgrims, it makes sense to celebrate the holiday in October." From Why Candian Thanksgiving is Celebrated in October Also, Thank You to my long-time buddy, Coast2Coast (Blog Name) for this resource.

I couldn't roll my eyes & let an annoyed sigh out hard enough. I know the news anchor may have been executing a joke. But y'all know I am a firm believer in "Being Dumb Aint Cute". And I am sorry, that was stupid for the news anchor to say. This post was set to be snarkier in tone, but my mind took a more calming turn. And I decided to go the route of my childhood Thanksgivings. Some Thanksgivings the younger than 18 family members had to tell what they were thankful for. Then I sighed again with the question, Are We Even Thankful, Right Now?

I mean the Christmas movies were brought out before Halloween. Dr. Fauci, CDC & the other medical experts suggest we lessen the number in attendance at our dinners. (They didn't have to tell my family that. We agreed on a corporate family prayer Zoom call back this Summer.) And even though the stores will be closed(a good thing that the pandemic caused), online Black Friday deals are already being rolled out.

But how long would it take us to sincerely answer the first meme on this post? We can't wallow in feeling bad and making others feel bad. Are you a person who will need to be in line because you can't afford groceries, let alone a holiday meal?

Do you have a job to go to? Is No the answer to the question, "Was your income decreased this year"? Did you have to bury a loved one? Were you stricken with Covid-19? Did you survive Covid-19 after catching it? You did it because you're reading this. And how many of us are thriving through depression this pandemic crept into our lives? Let me raise my hand. Because as I'm writing this, I could give this current time the middle finger. I fight dread constantly these days. But when I list the positive things that are going on in my mind, these weary times get to slither away for a while.

And I know that is a Happy Happy, Joy Joy approach, but it keeps me sane. Try it and tell me how it turns out for you. I bet wondering why Americans & Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving will be a trivial thing to think about. If you need help, let Walter Hawkins & the Love Center Church give you some ideas.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

And Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!

Gotta Break a Holiday Rule... (OUTSPOKEN_DIVA's Favorite Recipes)

...but I won't tell you precisely how. Which rule? "You've had all year to practice, don't debut new recipes at the holidays". The funny part is I've broken this rule a few times in life. My first turkey made was my actual first turkey made. When I make my mother's green bean casserole I use different seasonings & no one has known the wiser. Heck, they didn't know I made it for 3 years straight until my mother told them to give me the good credit instead of her.

But this year, "experimentation" is a must for me. We are downsizing our family celebrations. Yep, we're Zoom calling a prayer & then eating, instead of 20-30 people gathering at one house with their assigned dishes. 

It's been the plan since mid-summer. And yes, thank Covid-19. We're cooking for 3 people. That's fine if I wasn't a "lazy" meal preparer these days with restricted oven & stove space and time. (In my memoir, I'll talk about this.) But luckily, the emotions about my laziness has leaked into my thoughts. But after a small trial run of these researched recipes, they should be a hit.

It's not Thanksgiving without Muh Diva's recipe of Green Bean Casserole. But if you're a true reader, you know this is not hers. She doesn't trust everybody to do it wrong, correctly. LoL But it is a tasty recipe that goes low & slow in its heating and a little easy on the waistline.

Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients

• 4 (14.5 Ounce) Cans of Green Beans, Drained
• 2 (10.5 Ounce) Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1/4 Cup Plain Nonfat Yogurt
• 3/4 cup 2% Milk
• 1/2 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• 1/4 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/4 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• 1 6 Ounce Can French Fried Onions
  
  
  

Directions

1. In your cooker combine the cream of mushroom soup, yogurt, milk, and seasonings, and whisk to combine. 
2. Stir in the green beans, parmesan, and half of the french fried onions. Place the lid on your cooker and cook on low for 2 hours.
3. After two hours stir the casserole well and add the remaining french fried onions to the top. Replace the lid and continue cooking for 30 minutes, up to one more hour.

Sweet Potato Pie is a family favorite, especially during the holidays. And one day going down a Youtube rabbit hole, this gem came on the screen. I knew it would be nice for my "roommates" and me for dessert. Yes, they are fried, but the portion sizes are smaller than that wedge that is usually cut. Helpful & not over-indulging. 

Fried Sweet Potato Pies

Ingredients

• 3 refrigerated pie crusts (from 2 boxes), softened as directed on box

Filling

• 2 cups fresh sweet potatoes cooked & mashed (about 3 small sweet potatoes)
• 1/4 cup half n half
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• salt pinch
  
  
  

Directions

Sweet Potato Filling

1. Add cooked sweet potatoes and half n half to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
2. Place sweet potatoes in a bowl and stir in butter, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and cornstarch until well combined and creamy.
3. Taste and adjust the sweetness and spices to your liking.
4. Cover and place in the fridge until ready to use

Pie Frying

1. Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of the dough (see note).
2. Unroll 1 pie crust; roll into a 12-inch round. Using a 4-inch round cookie cutter, cut into 8 rounds, rerolling dough as necessary. Repeat with second and third crusts.
3. Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges, crimp with a fork.
4. Heat oil in a deep skillet (375 F.) and gently place the pies into the hot oil.
5. Fry pie until golden, about 2-3 minutes or until lightly golden.
6. Remove pies from oil with a slotted spoon and place on a cooling rack to drain.

Make the Glaze

1. To make the glaze add all glaze ingredients into a bowl and stir until smooth.
2. Brush the hot pies with glaze and let it hardened. Flip and glaze the other side and then repeat.
3. Once the glaze has hardened. Serve immediately.

Notes: Filling Amount: There will be plenty of filling leftover in case you prefer them stuffed. But be careful not too overstuffed them or they will not seal correctly.

How are you celebrating the holidays this year? Please spend it celebrating & relaxing some way, somehow. Sitting back and taking a moment to breathe and appreciate something seems small but if you do it watch that moment swell to make you happy.

Have a Happy Holiday Season🙂❤🙂

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!